Saving Lives: The Six Cents Initiative

In order to stay healthy, it is important to drink 1.5 to 2 liters of clean water every day. But more than 2.6 billion people lack even the most basic sanitation facilities and safe drinking water sources. That means one in five children in developing countries is susceptible to diseases caused by bacteria that grow in unsafe waters—and 5,000 die every day. The most common diseases lead to diarrhea and dehydration, which can lead to death if untreated.

At a cost of only 6 cents, a mixture of sugar and salt called oral rehydration salts (ORS) offers the most effective and cheapest way to save lives during dehydration. CKI is working with UNICEF to provide these rehydration salts to those in need.

CKI’s Six Cents Initiative with UNICEF is designed to help children get the rehydrating salts they need to survive dehydration spells. But that’s not all. With the money raised, UNICEF also is working to provide long-term solutions for the problem, which includes providing clean water resources through the installation of filtration and sanitation systems. Water filters installed in schools and communal areas can benefit entire communities. Ultimately, the goal is to educate individuals on safe water and hygiene practices, and to provide supplies to produce safe water supplies for communities.

Circle K clubs and members wishing to make donations to the “Six Cents Initiative” should direct checks to the Kiwanis International Foundation (3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268) with a notation that it is for UNICEF/water and sanitation programming.

Photo credit: A young girl gets clean water from a tap installed by UNICEF. (UNICEF/HQ05--155/Kathryn Grusovin)